Lede

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Municipal flag Lede
 
Location on map of Belgium
Coat of arms Location of Lede in East Flanders
Geography
Country Belgium
Region Flag of Flanders Flemish Region
Community Flag of Flanders Flemish Community
Province Flag of East Flanders East Flanders
Arrondissement Aalst
Coordinates 50°58′N 03°59′E / 50.967, 3.983Coordinates: 50°58′N 03°59′E / 50.967, 3.983
Area 29.69 km²
Population (Source: NIS)
Population
– Males
– Females
- Density
17,068 (January 1, 2006)
49.23%
50.77%
575 inhab./km²
Economy
Unemployment rate 6.43% (January 1, 2006)
Mean annual income 13,607 €/pers. (2003)
Government
Mayor Geert Grepdon (VLD)
Governing parties VLD, CD&V
Other information
Postal codes 9340
Area codes 053, 09
Web address www.lede.be

Lede is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Impe, Lede proper, Oordegem, Smetlede, Wanzele and Papegem. On January 1st, 2006 Lede had a total population of 17,068. The total area is 29.69 km² which gives a population density of 575 inhabitants per km². The current mayor of Lede is Geert Grepdon, from the VLD (Liberal) party.

Lede is known for a specific statue of St-Mary, "Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Zeven-Smarten" (Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows), to which a local myth attributes magical powers, making Lede into a local pilgrimage destination. The statue is taken around in a procession during a Sunday in June, after the biannual nine-day festival. The local church, built in 1496, houses the statue. The abandoned Castle of Mesen is situated in central Lede. It is scheduled to be destroyed in 2007.

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